In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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